1. Airbag

An airbag is a vehicle safety device designed to rapidly inflate during a collision and provide a cushion between the occupant and hard surfaces like the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows—helping to reduce injuries in a crash.

  • Airbags work best with seatbelts—they’re designed to supplement, not replace them.
  • Children and rear-facing child seats should never sit in front of an active front airbag.
  • Most systems are one-time use and must be replaced after deployment.
  • Common Types of Airbags:
    • Front airbags - For the driver (in the steering wheel) and front passenger (in the dashboard).
    • Side airbags - Protect the chest and torso in side impacts.
    • Curtain airbags - Useful in side collisions and rollovers.
    • Knee airbags - Located below the dashboard to protect knees and legs.
    • Rear airbags (less common) - Some high-end vehicles offer them for backseat passengers.
Airbag

Car crash test at 40km/h with different safety measures: safety belt and airbag (front), safety belt only (back, right) and no safety measures (back, left). © Wikimedia.org/Transport For NSW, CC BY-SA